West Ham want to raise the buy-out clause written in Diame’s contract to £9m after he joined the Hammers on a free from Wigan Athletic last summer.

Wenger regards Diame as good value and has been biding his time while the midfield anchorman recovers from the hamstring injury that he sustained in West Ham’s defeat against Liverpool on December 9.

Wenger’s scouts have been closely monitoring the fitness of Diame, who returned to the team last week, playing 65 minutes in the FA Cup defeat at Manchester United and then a full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw at QPR last Saturday.

Arsenal want a midfielder who can come straight into the team and make an immediate impact.

Arsenal are yet to make any January signings but remain in the market for a striker, a goalkeeper and a central midfielder.

Arsenal made an enquiry for Wigan midfielder James McCarthy earlier this month, but were put off by the £10m asking price.